BBC On Your Farm with Jon

Extract from the Radio 4 website: "Alex James travels to Hertfordshire to meet the first of three shortlisted finalists for this year's BBC Farmer of the Year. Jon Birchall has put the environment at the heart of the mixed farm he manages in Hitchin. Alex teams up with fellow judge, former Conservative MP and previous Chair of EFRA Select Committee, Michael Jack to find out whether Jon has what it takes to win the title of BBC Farming Today Farmer of the Year.

As well as farming rare breed cattle, sheep and pigs, Jon has introduced environmental measures to improve the biodiversity on the farm. From sowing specific grass seed mixes, to planting over 100 oak trees. Pilkington Farm has not only developed its wildlife but also makes a profit. Alex James and Michael Jack discover how and ask whether more farmers could and should follow suit."

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST

Photograph; From Left Michael Jack (Judge), Fran Barnes (Producer), Alex James (Judge), and Jon Birchall down amongst the outdoor pigs.

Natural England

Natural England has been hugely supportive in all the environmental and stewardship work that Pilkington Farms has carried out over the last 10 years at Offley Hoo.

Their enthusiastic assitance has not just been of a fiscal nature, and we are very grateful to all those in the Cambridge office for their time, expertise and encouragement as we continue to expand and advance our schemes further.

Our Entry Level Schemes (ELS) and Higher Level Schemes (HLS) are amongst the largest privately run schemes in the country, and we are currently working on major additions and enhancements which will continue to protect the flora and fauna of Hertfordshire, whilst at the same time significantly reducing our carbon footprint and inputs. Our HLS Educational Access programme continues to develop with further plans for improved facilities: specific hand washing sinks and three permanent toilets.

In the last 3 years we have had almost 50 educational visits and we feel that these 3,500 visitors have opened our eyes almost just as much as we opened theirs. Every visit is different and tailored to each group from inner city school children and village playgroups, to agricultural professionals and other farmers who are now considering restructuring their businesses as we have done. We welcome them all and we've found we learn something new every single time.